In the context of community ecology, did a community exist prior to the onset of secondary succession?

• A. No, secondary succession occurs in areas where no community previously existed.
• B. Yes, a community existed before secondary succession began.
• C. Secondary succession only occurs in aquatic environments, not terrestrial ones.
• D. Secondary succession is the initial establishment of a community in a barren area.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of secondary succession: Secondary succession refers to the process of ecological recovery and community re-establishment in an area where a community previously existed but was disturbed or destroyed.
2. Identify the conditions for secondary succession: It occurs in areas where a community has been removed due to disturbances such as fire, flood, or human activities, leaving the soil intact.
3. Clarify the difference between primary and secondary succession: Primary succession occurs in lifeless areas where soil has not yet formed, while secondary succession happens in areas where a community has been disrupted but soil remains.
4. Recognize the environments where secondary succession can occur: Secondary succession can occur in both terrestrial and aquatic environments, contrary to the statement that it only occurs in aquatic environments.
5. Conclude that a community existed prior to secondary succession: Since secondary succession involves the re-establishment of a community in an area where one previously existed, it confirms that a community was present before the onset of secondary succession.